Big Ideas Lab Space Security
Mar 25, 2025
Ben Bahney, Program Leader for Space at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Willem DeVries, Associate Program Leader in the Space Science and Security Program, delve into the critical realm of space security. They explore the increasing threats to satellites from cyberattacks and physical assaults, discuss advanced tracking technologies, and reveal how LLNL is enhancing space payloads. With insights into the geopolitical landscape, including concerns over China and Russia, they highlight the vital role of AI and cutting-edge defense strategies in safeguarding our space assets.
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Space Is The Backbone To Protect
- Space security means operating in orbit despite potential attacks on space systems.
- Ben Bahney emphasizes satellites form the backbone of modern life and require protection from diverse threats.
Combine Ground And Space Tracking
- Use ground radars and optical telescopes alongside space-based small satellites to track orbital objects.
- Willem DeVries advocates distributed sensing to improve traffic management and space domain awareness.
Brilliant Pebbles To Clementine
- In the 1980s Livermore worked on the Strategic Defense Initiative, creating Brilliant Pebbles: small autonomous satellites designed to intercept missiles.
- Sensors from that program were later repurposed for NASA's 1994 Clementine lunar mission.